Access port for a fluid system

Abstract

An access port for a fluid system having a sidewall defining a fluid cavity is provided. A probe receiver, having an inner passage with a valve seat and a chamber adjacent to the valve seat and in fluid communication with the inner passage, is connected to the sidewall of the fluid system. The chamber has an opening in communication with the fluid cavity and a valve member biased to a seated position that moves within the chamber to an unseated position. A probe is connected to the probe receiver and extends through the inner fluid passage of the probe receiver into the chamber. When the probe body is inserted into the probe receiver it moves the valve member to the unseated position and the valve member and a portion of the probe body traverse the opening. When the probe body is removed, the valve member returns to the seated position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An access port for a fluid system, the fluid system having a sidewall that defines a fluid cavity, the access port comprising:
 a probe receiver comprising:
 an outer connector having an outer connection surface that, in use, connects the probe receiver to the sidewall of the fluid system; 
 an inner passage that extends through the outer connector, the inner passage having an internal connection at a first end and a valve seat at a second end; 
 a chamber adjacent to the valve seat, the chamber comprising a fluid opening adapted to be in fluid communication with the fluid cavity of the fluid system; 
 a valve member that is movable within the chamber between an unseated position away from the valve seat and a seated position against the valve seat, the valve member being biased toward the seated position, wherein, in the unseated position, the chamber is in fluid communication with the inner passage via the valve seat, and in the seated position, the inner passage is sealed relative to the chamber; 
 
 a probe comprising:
 an external connection shaped to sealably and releasably engage the internal connection of the probe receiver, 
 a probe body that extends away from the external connection, the probe body being sized to extend through the inner passage of the probe receiver and into the chamber, the probe body comprising a stopper section, the stopper section carrying a magnetic element at a remote end, the stopper section having an external diameter that is substantially the same as an inner diameter of the inner passage, and the magnetic element having a diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the inner passage; 
 wherein:
 when the probe body is inserted into the probe receiver, the probe body moves the valve member toward the unseated position such that the valve member and at least a portion of the magnetic element traverse at least a portion of the fluid opening, and the remote end of the stopper section is immediately adjacent to the valve seat; and 
 as the probe body is being removed from the probe receiver, the valve member moves to the seated position such that a surface of the magnetic element, the valve member, the stopper section of the probe body and the inner diameter of the inner passage of the probe receiver together define a space within the inner passage adapted to receive ferrous particles carried by the magnetic element. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The access port of  claim 1 , wherein the inner passage, the chamber, the valve member, and the valve seat are non-magnetic. 
     
     
       3. The access port of  claim 1 , wherein the probe body comprises an end surface that engages the valve member when the probe is installed in the probe receiver. 
     
     
       4. The access port of  claim 1 , wherein the internal connection and external connection are internal threads and external threads. 
     
     
       5. The access port of  claim 1 , wherein the valve seat is a ball seat and the valve member is a ball. 
     
     
       6. The access port of  claim 5 , wherein the valve seat comprises a 90-degree corner that engages the ball. 
     
     
       7. The access port of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber comprises a spring opposite the valve seat relative to the valve member, the valve member moving along a direction that is aligned with an axis of the inner passage. 
     
     
       8. The access port of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper section has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as an inner diameter of the inner passage, the stopper section being positioned within the inner passage as the external connection is released from the internal connection and until the valve member moves to the seated position.